Gum Disease Treatments

Screening for gum disease forms should be an integral part of any routine dental examination

Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.

Periodontal disease

Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.

All gum diseases are caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.

Typical Symptoms of gum disease

The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.

Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do not notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.

At our clinic, we aim to educate our patients on the causes of gum disease. Prior to embarking on any course of treatment, we will offer gum-disease-specific oral hygiene instruction that is individual to each of our patients.

Screening for gum disease forms should be an integral part of any routine dental examination.

Dr. Jifri provides general dentistry with an emphasis on restorative treatments. In addition, she specializes in cosmetic dentistry and providing treatments for her nervous patients.

Dr. Jifri is a member of the Ontario Dental Association.

It is her belief that the key to establishing the cornerstone of every treatment plan is by understanding the needs and desires of each patient. Building a trusting relationship with patients is her #1 priority — making sure they have all the information needed to make all-important oral health care choices.

If you are looking for a Dentist for you and your family in Mississauga or the Greater Toronto Area